I am honoured to announce that I have committed to play division 1 hockey @MaineIceHockey! Thank you to everyone that has helped me get this far, including my coaches over the years, my family, friends, trainers and many more! Proud to be a Black Bear!

Hockey Commitments‏ @HockeyCommitsLevi Kleiboer (Battlefords North Stars) has committed to the University of Maine for 2019-2020. @MaineIceHockey @leviallen16 @SJHL_NorthStars @theSJHL

...But, the Black Bears have broken down against top opponents and in key moments this season.

Maine welcomes Vermont to Alfond Arena for its last home series until mid-January, a pair of crucial Hockey East games.

"We haven't been able to put together a sweep yet, you know we got to show up for two full games and put it together here. Especially these being hockey east games, you're right at home these are huge hockey east points and they'll matter at the end of the season," forward Mitchell Fossier said.

...Swayman had allowed two goals in each of his last five starts and has an impressive .939 save percentage during that stretch.

His .921 save percentage on the season is 15th best in the country and third among the nation’s freshmen. His overall goals-against average of 2.51 is seventh best among freshmen and 27th overall.

“He has been playing unbelievable,” said UMaine sophomore center and co-captain Chase Pearson. “He has been the backbone of our team. When you have a goalie playing like that, it builds our confidence.”

“He is definitely athletic and he is committed. He works hard every day and it has paid off for him,” said sophomore right wing Patrick Shea. “He’s definitely mentally prepared for every game.”

Swayman said he has been happy with the way he has played “but I’m never satisfied.”

UMaine hockey team looks to break its break-even patternAfter splitting two games in Northern Ireland, the Black Bears are back home for two games against Vermont.

...“You’ve got to bring the same focus and effort every night,” Gendron said. “That’s how you become something other than a .500 team. You become a team that contends for championships.”

Gendron made similar comments two weeks ago in Portland, when his Black Bears lost a 7-0 rout to Boston University – a day after beating Boston University 5-2 in Orono.

“Every game, no matter what the situation, is going to be a difficult game,” said Holway said, who added that a win on Friday “doesn’t mean we don’t have to refocus” on Saturday. “Consistency is definitely a part of it. But discipline is also a factor … whether it be penalties or sticking to the game plan.”

Maine leads Hockey East in penalty minutes (16.7 per game), and the Black Bears are next-to-last in team defense (3.42 goals allowed).

...“We’re all frustrated with the outcome,” Maine Coach Red Gendron said. “But anybody who’s in the building knows that the University of Maine Black Bears played pretty well … outside of the result, that’s a pretty fine effort.”

The Catamounts feature the worst offense in Hockey East, and Maine outshot them 43-24. But Vermont sophomore goalie Stefanos Lakkas was the No. 1 star with 41 saves. He made some stellar stops and many routine ones because he positions himself so well.

“He makes it look easy because he tracks pucks very well. He did make some big ones,” Vermont Coach Kevin Sneddon said.

Freshman Jeremy Swayman continued his bid to be Maine’s No. 1 goalie. Swayman, a Boston Bruins draft pick, made 22 saves in his third straight start.